A good tape measure is absolutely critical for those in construction, plumbing, or one of many other professional trades. Did you know tape measures are a lot more complicated than a simple case and metal measuring strip? There are actually five major parts of a tape measure, each of which has an important role in … Read more
A screwdriver is one of the most basic handheld tools out there. It’s used to rotate a typical spiral-threaded screw into (or out of) wood, metal, or other materials with manual effort by the user. There are many different types of screwdrivers but here we want to focus on the various parts of a screwdriver. … Read more
Owning a lathe can make a lot of jobs incredibly easy, such as threading, turning, and performing even sanding around a cylindrical object. Learning to use a wood lathe is relatively simple, but “mastering” a wood or metal lathe is a lot harder. The following are some wood and metal projects that are not only … Read more
Oxy-Acetylene welding is a tried and true method for fusing metals. It combines oxygen and acetylene gases to form a superheated flame that melts and joins two pieces of metal. It is an intricate process that requires a great degree of skill, focus and patience, but don’t be discouraged. With the right information and proper application … Read more
Technology has changed tools incredibly over the years, but some of the best things stay the same. Case in point: the hammer. Many different types of hammers have been created throughout the years — everything from simple wooden mallets to state-of-the-art titanium alloy ball peen hammers, but they all have similar characteristics. While a hammer … Read more
One of the oldest tools, the hammer has evolved to fill a wide variety of roles beyond simple construction. Some types of hammers are highly specialized, and may perform tasks traditionally held by axes. Other types are versatile and have a home in any workshop. The parts of a hammer can be broken down into … Read more
Saws have been in use for thousands of years, branching out to fill specific niches as the times, technology, and materials required. Today’s “complete” tool collection will include a variety of saws, from coping saws to hacksaws to any of a number of specialized table saws, and sometimes includes more than one saw of a … Read more
Polishing and waxing your car can be a total pain, but the benefits are undeniable. From the factory, the only thing protecting your car’s paint from the elements is a thin layer of clear coat. Just normal driving and outdoor parking can place a heavy burden on the clear coat and it typically doesn’t take … Read more
One of the most neglected rooms in your home is the garage. This space can have many functions beyond housing a car, such as storage, workshop, home gym, or music room. Adding in a finished ceiling is an inexpensive way to give this space a more hospitable appeal and turn it into a more functional … Read more
They don’t make ’em like they used to. You can still pick up your grandpa’s old analog multimeter at any hardware store or on the internet, and they’ve still got their uses. Today’s best multimeters are all digital and they dominate the market. With a numeric display that reads out your measured value as precise … Read more